Thelma Osatohanmwen
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has reassured the public that there are no plans for an imminent increase in the cost of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly known as petrol.
In a statement issued by Olufemi Soneye, the chief corporate communications officer of the company, motorists were cautioned against engaging in panic-buying.
The statement emphasized, “NNPC Ltd. urges Nigerians to disregard unfounded rumours and assures them that there are no plans for an upward review of the PMS price. Motorists nationwide are advised against engaging in panic buying, as there is presently ample availability of PMS across the country.”
Reports emerged on Monday of long queues at some filling stations in Lagos, sparking fears of a fresh scarcity of petrol. The queues were observed at filling stations along the Ikorodu Road and Total Filling Station located at the Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way, leading to traffic jams around the Ikeja axis of the state.
Responding to the concerns, the NNPCL attributed the scarcity in some filling stations to distribution issues.
However, the company’s mega filling stations along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway did not experience fuel dispensing challenges as of Monday evening.
The spokesperson for NNPCL, Femi Soneye, dismissed the notion of a fuel scarcity, stating that the company did not face supply issues, and its products remained readily available.
He confirmed that the recent distribution issue in Lagos had been resolved.
Also, the National Vice Chairman of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, Hammed Fashola, acknowledged the queues at some filling stations in Lagos but attributed them to panic-buying by customers.
